Olivia Barber is ready to take the next step in pursuing her football dreams. The Murray Bushranger is bound for the Gold Coast this weekend to represent the Vic Country side at the AFLW under-18 National Championships. It comes after the multi-talented youngster decided to turn her attention towards football instead of basketball with the Albury-Wodonga Bandits in the NBL1 competition back in April this year. A decision that appears to be paying dividends for the 16-year-old. "It was a massive decision for me to make, but I'm glad I chose football," Barber said. "I'm a lot more settled now being committed to one sport. "I love the game and everything about it. "It's so much fun and you just feel free when you're playing. "I'm looking forward to the weekend, it should be really good." Barber is one of four girls from the Murray Bushrangers this season who is set to head to the Gold Coast, with Millie Brown (Mooroopna), Sophie Locke (Euroa) and Teagan Brett (Shepparton Notre) also selected in the Vic Country team. This was Barber's second year playing with the Bushrangers and her first as a bottom-ager with the under-18 Vic Country side. The talented youngster has her sights set on going a far as she can out on the football field, dreaming of one day playing in the AFLW competition. ALSO IN SPORT: "That would be my dream, that's what I'm working towards," Barber said. "I'd hopefully like to be drafted at the end of next year, but we'll see what happens." Barber added that she's grown up around football, making her decision to try her hand at the sport an easy one when the opportunity presented itself at school. "I've had footy around me my whole life with my little brother and dad playing," Barber said. "My school spoke about having a footy team and I thought I'd see how that went. "I've been playing ever since." The exciting young forward racked up seven goals this season with the Murray Bushrangers and is expected to be used in the forward line for Vic Country. The Murray Bushrangers played nine games this season in the NAB league competition and posted three wins. Vic Country's first test will be against Queensland on Monday. The AFLW under-18 National Championship's carnival runs for five days in the Gold Coast, kicking off on Monday and concluding on Friday.

Olivia Barber's ready to represent Vic Country at under-18 championships

BRIGHT FUTURE: Murray Bushrangers' Olivia Barber will head to the Gold Coast this weekend to represent Vic Country at the AFLW under-18 National Championships. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE.

Olivia Barber is ready to take the next step in pursuing her football dreams.

The Murray Bushranger is bound for the Gold Coast this weekend to represent the Vic Country side at the AFLW under-18 National Championships.

It comes after the multi-talented youngster decided to turn her attention towards football instead of basketball with the Albury-Wodonga Bandits in the NBL1 competition back in April this year.

A decision that appears to be paying dividends for the 16-year-old.

"It was a massive decision for me to make, but I'm glad I chose football," Barber said.

"I'm a lot more settled now being committed to one sport.

"I love the game and everything about it.

"It's so much fun and you just feel free when you're playing.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend, it should be really good."

Barber is one of four girls from the Murray Bushrangers this season who is set to head to the Gold Coast, with Millie Brown (Mooroopna), Sophie Locke (Euroa) and Teagan Brett (Shepparton Notre) also selected in the Vic Country team.

This was Barber's second year playing with the Bushrangers and her first as a bottom-ager with the under-18 Vic Country side.

The talented youngster has her sights set on going a far as she can out on the football field, dreaming of one day playing in the AFLW competition.